Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Friday, February 12, 2016

Stacks Of This And Stacks Of That.


The other day I was thinking about creating a new post.
I hadn't sewn anything new,
and it's too cold to work outside in the garden or lawn.
All week I've puttered around the house cleaning,
doing laundry and except for going grocery shopping
and one day playing cards with friends . . .
this has been a very dull week.
  Not a week to build a post around . . .
but I took out my camera anyway and started my hunt.
 with the reward being a subject of interest.
Then it hit me . . .
look around my house and there are stacks of everything.
bowls, dishes, table cloths, tea cups . . .
Do you do this?
 We are empty-nesters . . .
we really don't need fifty plates 
and fifty bowls.
and tea cups . . .why,  I could open a tea cafe.

Shelves are just a way to stack things . . .
leaving a little space above and below the stacks.
I do not like to think of myself as a hoarder . . .
but what does this say about me?

There is a comfort in stacking things up,
but what is it?
Does it create an illusion of order?
I ask this because in most cases when things are stacked,
 one on top of the other,  
all you have to do is 
pull one out and the entire stack falls.
My daughter is the complete opposite of me. 
If she doesn't use it, she doesn't need it.
She has no need for different patterns or colors of dishes.
There are three in her family and she feels like 
having over six plates in her cupboard is overkill.
The only reason is if guests come for dinner.
Otherwise six plates can mean that the dishes 
wouldn't get done after each and every meal.
Heaven forbid!
I look around my house and I have stacks for everything . . .
My elephants are even in agreement with me.

Am I just creating a warm and cozy home?
OR
Am I a true hoarder?
OR 
Am I an organized person?
OR
Am I on the verge of madness?

Please let me know what you think . . .
the truth now . . .you don't have to spare my feelings.

Keep Smiling!
Your blogging sister,
Connie :)


81 comments:

  1. I think you are a collector. I love dishes, but I have to resist, because I have no room. xoxo Su

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am there, too. The other day I was at Goodwill and had this amazing mixing bowl (made in Italy) in my hands, ready to put into my cart . . . then thought another bowl, are you crazy, LOL.

      Delete
  2. I think as we live in a home we just tend to gather items around us....and as long as you are happy and your stuff is organized what's the harm? My mom is the same, she collects stuff. She has stuff that she will never ever use in cabinets, drawers, etc. But she came from a farm in Ireland where they had very little so she tends to collect things and hold on to them forever. I used to have much more but after a bad divorce and moving 4 times in 5 years I scaled back....and I'm ok with that. No doubt things will work their way into my new home as I'm here longer but if they do? No worries!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love thrifting and when I see something that is amazing and a great price it is hard to not bring it home, LOL. When I'm dead and gone, my poor daughter will have to have a huge yard sale.

      Delete
  3. Hi! I am Melissa, from Texas. I just ran across your blog this morning and at one glance I knew it was one I could identify with! No, you are not a hoarder because 1) you can probably walk through your rooms without your head touching the ceiling and 2) you probably haven't been on a reality tv show! I can identify with your stacks -- I have started decluttering but I still have to have enough stuff around me to feel cozy -- and just in case I might need it. Our daughters have the same view point. I wish my daughter had been so tidy and minimalist when she was living at home -- funny how that works! I am looking at your Blue Willow -- I had a whole set and donated it -- one of my biggest regrets. In fact, I was just looking for another set online two days ago! And your Pfaltzgraf -- I had some of that too -- still have a lovely little box my husband bought me. I think I will really enjoy visiting your blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for stopping by to visit. When our daughter lived at home her room was a mess . . . now her home is always in order and minimal as well. She is very active and her attitude is why dust when you can kayak, LOL. I just feel very cozy, among pretty things. Most of my blue willow came from a big cardboard box that I purchased for $10 at a flea market. It included dishes, bowls and even a tea pot and sugar and creamer. One of my proudest scores :) I'm very happy to meet you and will be visiting your blog as well.

      Delete
    2. Thank you! Yes, these girls and their grown up attitudes! Oh well, there are days I wish I could go back to my daughters messy days at home though. I definitely need my "things" -- now I am not opposed to saying enough is enough and then tossing but as much as I admire minimal homes I don't think I could live in one -- well, maybe for about 5 minutes until I start "customizing"! Looking forward to us visiting each other's blogs!

      Delete
    3. I know, I love the look of minimalist homes, too. I tried it once . . . I had a huge yard sale, but slowly and surely more came back in. What can I say . . . I love a well feathered nest, LOL

      Delete
  4. I like all your stacks. I have been inside your two weeks, with a sore throat. Better days ahead for us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debby, I am so sad to hear that you have not been well . . . here's to better days, warm weather and a throat that feels well enough to sing out loud :)

      Delete
  5. I think you are very organised with a warm and cozy home and we are all a bit mad aren't we?!!!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe so, LOL I do like my stuff . . . it's more to dust and keep clean, but I enjoy that, too. Especially during the winter when I'm cooped up inside :)

      Delete
  6. What an organized lady you are....and your home looks so warm and inviting. I don't see hoarding going on, but there are time I feel close to it myself. The last year I've been really weeding out and as how as it was it's really been great. Almost liberating to have a place for everything and losing the "cluttered" look which made me feel anxious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a middle ground there somewhere and I guess it is different for all of us. Maybe the rule should be, if you have more than you can keep clean . . . or if you hate cleaning it and consider it a waste of your time . . . then it is certainly time to start weeding. I think that is how my daughter feels . . . she would much rather be outside riding bike, kayaking, hiking, skiing, and camping than dusting. It is not a bad way to look at it. Different strokes for different folks, LOL.

      Delete
  7. You have neatly stacked stacks! But yes, it's just an illusion of order - but one I enjoy! So many pretty things, kept in good order - I enjoyed your little tour of your stacks and shelves and boxes and elephants!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you . . . maybe we are two peas in a pod, LOL.

      Delete
  8. I think Connie, that in the first half of our lives, we collect and amass things(stuff), then we spend the rest of our lives simplifying.Nowadays I give away lots, and I am de-stashing my fabric by making things to give away.I used to be a Hoarder because I was a teacher, and I needed loads to teach with.Having "lots of gear" made me feel safe, now it weighs me down. We just use our "good" dinner set instead of having three half sets, due to broken bits. The Artist in me loved your stacks!!! The housewife said.."Oh my Lordy, all that dusting and shifting!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I know, it creates mixed emotions . . . I'm a nester and in the winter I enjoy my stuff. In the summer when I want to be outside, it becomes a chore to dust and keep clean.

      Delete
  9. You are a woman after my own heart, Connie! I love, love, love pretty dishes, fabrics, sewing supplies, books (oh, the books!) and many other little things I collect. You have some sweet things and it is always nice to surround yourself with all your pretties. I have such limited storage, so I must box things up and store them, but I have fun changing things out on a regular basis from my 'stash'. Sometimes it is a delightful surprise to 'remember' I had something or the other! My kids are the same as yours - no clutter and they think I am a hoarder - ha ha. I don't care - I love my 'things' even if I have to keep them in storage for a rainy day! Hugs xo Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, what would we do if we could not decorate our homes with the seasons and holidays. It takes that stuff that we have stored to be able to do that.

      Delete
  10. From all the pictures you have shown of your home and your art barn I say you are a very organized person. You are also creative and crafty which requires lots of things to inspire you.
    I often wonder if I'm bordering on becoming a hoarder

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a fine line between collector, nester and hoarder . . . I do like the sound of the first two better, LOL. I can walk and dance around my home without boxes everywhere, so maybe that is the difference between collector and hoarder. As long as I have space to store my stuff, I'm in good shape, LOL
      I'll not be renting one of those storage garages.

      Delete
  11. I think you're just a lover of pretty and colorful things. Enjoy them!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I can so identify with your post -- thank you for being so honest with us as most of us are there too! I am an empty nester too and my 98 year old mom has lived with us for going on 4 years now. When she moved in a lot of her stuff moved in too -- it was too much for her to get rid of things. But slowly, I have been going through things and donating them or giving them away and it feels good to not have so many choices to make. I don't think I was a hoarder, just a collector of pretty things. I've weeded out my clothes because thinking I will wear them someday just isn't going to happen. So much has gone and I actually feel good about it and not sad at all -- I still have the memories in my head -- just not staring at them all the time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do need to weed some of my stuff out, too, but for now I'm just going to enjoy them :) Spring is coming and my thoughts are on gardening. Thanks so much for stopping by . . . enjoy your Mom and be sure and keep a few of her things as heirlooms, they will be treasured by your children and grandchildren.

      Delete
  13. Hi Connie, If you are wondering if you are a hoarder than you most likely aren't. You have surrounded yourself with things that you love and enjoy and everything is always displayed so creatively that it give a sense of warmth not of clutter. I love the vibes of love and joy the pictures of your home give off. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, your comment warms my heart . . . we love out little home and thank God for it everyday. I want it to be warm, cozy and inviting . . . the kind of place where people are not a afraid to kick back and relax.

      Delete
  14. I think everyone's tolerance for stacks and stuff is unique. No, I don't think you're a hoarder - your stuff is organized and neat. I'll second the above comment about needing a lot of stuff if you are a sewist or a crafter. Definitely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Collecting does kind of go along with a creative soul, doesn't it. Thanks, I needed to hear that :)

      Delete
  15. Your home looks so organized. You are a COLLECTOR. Now, on the other hand, I am a hoarder. My stacks have toppled!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my! I just came from your blog . . . it would not let me read comments or leave one either, but what a book collection you have. I was amazed, and then I read "two deep" . . . oh my! Well, you love books and I think it is wonderful. Surround yourself with what you love. I think that your wall of books is marvelous and your husband is a sweetheart to build you those wonderful shelves.

      Delete
  16. I could never be a minimalist. I get a lot of happiness collecting dishes and old linen and such. I do try to keep everything as organized as I can so I don't worry about having too much. I try to take as much stuff to the thrift store as I take home. Mostly that works.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know the feeling . . . we reach a place in life where if we bring something home . . . then something has to go :)

      Delete
  17. You are probably somewhere in between! Stack what you truly love and enjoy and give away what doesn't float your boat. I keep trying to keep it simple but there are some things I like, tea cups, tea pots. I have two sets of corelle dishes so change them around. I have a set of Noritake for six which I thought I needed and have rarely used! Wish I could find someone that would enjoy and use them. I think it is a continual job trying to keep our life a balance! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amen to that! You are a wise woman, Nancy :)

      Delete
  18. Well, all those stacks do make for some lovely photographs! I like your stack of elephants best though. ;-) I think it's a personal preference. Me, I'm more like your daughter, always cleaning out and getting rid of things. But I DO have stacks and stacks of books. Enjoy all your stacks. They are colorful and pretty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny that you would say that you are more like my daughter and then say you like the elephants best . . . she gave them to me :)

      Delete
  19. It's not trash so you are very organized.

    I have thinned my dishes and simplified. Still need to do some more. In my creative piles, uh. stacks there are more things.

    Looks fine to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gail, thank you . . . they are not rash . . . they are little treasures, that make a home, right :)

      Delete
  20. I'm a teacup collector. I can identify with all this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Sharon, thank you for stopping by. You might like to check this post out.
      http://crafty-home-cottage.blogspot.com/2013/03/tea-cup-chandelier.html
      It is a tea cup chandelier that I made years ago. The perfect thing for a collectors home. You might decide to make one :)

      Delete
  21. Dear Connie I have just found your beautiful blog! Makes me want to get my sewing machine out but I have a cold at the moment so it will have to wait, best wishes Jackie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jackie, thank you for visiting . . . I do hope that your cold goes away very soon. It is no fun being sick. I love sewing and I am happy that I could inspire you to pull out your machine.

      Delete
  22. I love your stacks!! Your stacks of tea cups are gorgeous!!! Right now my stacks are Income tax papers piling the table...uge! My stamping studio has stacks of paper, ink pads, etc. In the other part of the basement is stacks of boxes and plastic containers waiting to be organized. Guess we all have our stacks of something, not your not a hoarder.....but an organized collector of things important to you!!! Finally I can comment....had to change my browser!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there Louise, you have had so much trouble with your blog; I do hope that this will take care of it. As for taxes . . . we just did ours a week ago. It's not fun, but make the most of it . . . maybe you can stamp a pretty boarder around the edges. You just might put a smile on someones face at the IRS :)

      Delete
  23. I do believe you may have an over supply of dishes and things. Definitely not a hoarder. I know someone that is and you do not compare. I have too much for one and trying to get rid of it. Just more dusting. I am with your daughter, if you do not use it, you do not need it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very wise words. The truth is if we had a dinner party with enough people to use all of our plates, we would probably use paper plates anyway, LOL.

      Delete
  24. So, what's the problem? LOL! Hoarder? No. Collector? Probably. I think your stacks are delightful. The stacked elephants made me laugh out loud. If I could collect anything it would be dishes. I absolutely love dishes. Always have, always will. I sold off several sets when I married Dennis, and every so often I regret it -- by only for a moment. However, I've had my set of Pottery Barn Suppertime white dishware (found at a thrift store for $25 no less!) for 16 years and I've been thinking a lot lately about picking up vintage dishware at thrift stores and doing a mismatched thing. I'm kind of tired of the white, although it's very practical. But who wants to be practical when there's all that glorious, beautiful dishware with pretty flowers and such waiting to be picked up for mere pennies. (sigh) xoxoxo ~ Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nancy, before we moved into this house, I had a huge yard sale. One of the things in it was a stack of plates and small bowls that I had created to use as a mix-matched table setting. I decided on vintage floral dishes that had pink, green and blue in them. They were fun to collect . . . I liked the idea of every plate being different as long as the colors coordinated. We made so many trips moving, that by the time we had the yard sale I was more than ready to part with everything and have our work over. We had a truck from the Senior Center coming at noon to pick up everything that didn't sell before that time. Then by 11:30, Steve announced that everything was free, until the truck arrived, then people had to stop shopping. We still had boxes, armloads and furniture to load on the truck when it came. It is amazing how much stuff you collect when living in one home for thirty-three years. When that truck pulled away it was a huge weight off my shoulders, but still I collect . . . what is wrong with me? LOL

      Delete
  25. I fall more in line with your daughter these days...I'm finding the older I get, the less stuff I need and want. I have donated so many extra things these past couple of years, so I don't have stacks and stacks of stuff in my house. I do still have a lot of "stuff" in my basement where I store extra decor items, but it's better than it used to be. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melanie, I think that most of us like changing things up in our homes with the seasons and if you enjoy thrifting, it is easy to pick up pretty things at low prices. I feel blessed to have the space to store such things. We don't have a basement, but I think having one would be a wonderful thing (doubles your square footage).

      Delete
  26. I think whatever you can manage to keep tidy and still makes you happy is fine. No, definitely not a hoarder. It's fun looking around at all your stacks of dishes and linens. I love all kinds of dishes too ... my weakness. I'm turning a new leaf now though as I spent years clearing out my parents' home, and it was an awful ordeal. They weren't hoarders either, but still had far too much stuff and never got around to clearing out anything! I'm still dealing with the fallout of that in my own home, and am in the midst of decluttering everything here from dishes to paperwork. My house is small and full, and I promised my own two kids that I would never leave so much stuff for them to deal with when I'm gone. It's a tough thing to do however, especially when we get attached to things. I haven't step foot in the thrift store since I began because I too was bringing home things that I didn't need in the first place. But getting rid of things before you're unable to deal with it yourself is something to think about. I hope I haven't killed the happiness in this fun post.
    Wendy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Wendy, you haven't killed any happiness here . . . I see your point and it is a very good one. For the time being, I am not there yet . . . but I see it right around the corner :)

      Delete
  27. Well they are very neat stacks and colourful too ...

    I do try and have a good sort out every now and then and donate to 'charity' shops ... it makes for more room in my cupboards, which I then have great joy filling up again!

    Happy Weekend Wishes

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jan, It sounds like we are two peas in a pod. I get a lot of pleasure from going to the thrift shops and finding a treasure or even not finding anything. It's the hunt that is fun as well as bringing home something that fits your home and personality and for pennies on the dollar. Some folks like running, exercising, playing Bingo or cards, some like thrifting . . . it's my "sport" of choice, LOL.

      Delete
  28. Your stacks are tidy, that is the main thing!:-) I am slowly going through stuff, trying to minimize. A lot of donations going out to the thrift store, but then I'm kind of like Jan above, that gives me more room to bring things back in. Although I have to say that my last few visits to the thrift store I have spent a grand total of $1.25!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Karen, oh, but isn't it fun to just go and look :) On my last visit, I found a wooden shelf unit that came apart in the middle. I put the bottom half in my closet for shoes and the other out in my Art Barn for creative storage. Both areas benefited and are more organized from my little trip. You never know what you might find when you walk in the door, but it's fun to look. Sometime you find nothing and other times you find treasures.

      Delete
  29. Well this turned into a great post! You may not need all those dishes, but aren't they pretty. How could you get rid of any of them! :) especially all the pretty teacups. It all looks pretty special to me, so neatly stacked!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Henny, thank you . . . they bring a little happiness to my kitchen and don't we all like a happy cheerful kitchen :)

      Delete
  30. Hi Connie,
    Oh I have stacks too...lots of them...I have a dish obsession like you and my small china cabinet is overflowing and so many things are stacked inside. I wish I had the same thought process as your daughter!
    I told myself a few weeks ago that this year Spring cleaning will involve a major purge! Wish me luck!
    Happy Valentines Day! Kimberley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kimberley, I do wish you luck, but don't get rid of anything that you are going to miss. Sometimes pretty stacks can bring a smile to your face . . . especially when it's winter and you're cooped up in your home. We like to be surrounded my pretty things . . . some of this is what makes the difference between a home and a house :)

      Delete
  31. As long as it brings you pleasure when you rest your eyes upon it, that is all that matters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carolyn, Simply and wisely said, thank you :)

      Delete
  32. Many of your stacks look very artistic. I used to have more stacks but have been trying to let go of more and do with less - living in a pretty small home requires editing to keep organized. Have a great week : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mindy, if I didn't have my well-house for seasonal storage, I would be cutting back more, too. It allows me space for Christmas decorations, and summertime cushions and furniture, along with board games and yard games. It is wonderful because this home is small, but it gives me a lot of extra storage.

      Delete
  33. OKay... Connie. You asked for it.
    I love your home! I love the color and selections... and collections. But, lets be honest here. You mentioned, if you pull one thing the "entire stack falls". I HAVE that problem. You have too many dishes for just the two of you... I HAVE that problem.
    I think looking at your surroundings and decided what you can absolutely live without ... is a good thing. I also believe, we become a slave to all the STUFF. We have to wash it, dry it, fold it. ...or stack it. Or worse FIND A PLACE TO STACK IT. Or find a new arrangement for all the stacks; it might be time to pare down the stacks, so to speak. It might be freeing in your mind too.
    Now, I'm in no way passing judgment. In fact, I already said... I HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I've got stacks on my stacks.
    I need an intervention.
    I'm doing some soul searching and stack sorting myself.
    Have fun with it... I know you'll be creative with your collections no matter what you decide.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Patricia, we can both count our blessings . . . what a problem, too much stuff. I do agree that we can sometimes become a slave to it. I know that I feel that way more in the summertime, when I want to spend more time outside, but also want a clean and tidy home.

      Delete
  34. Well, I think it all stacks up beautifully! :) I too am a stacker. I always tell myself that hoarders have only trails in their home. Not there, yet. lol! We are empty nesters as well, but I love and have a weakness for pretty dishes. As well as other things that stack nicely.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are not hoarders, we are collectors of pretty stacks, LOL.

      Delete
  35. Hi Connie, I think you are creating a warm and cozy home as an organized hoarder on the verge of madness. LOL!! Just kidding, sorry...I couldn't resist. I like your home. I know what you mean about the dishes though, I have been trying to downsize mine a bit as it's just the two of us, easier said than done though. It's nice to have extra cupboard space though. Have a great evening, Kelly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kelly, we use white dishes all the time, so it is fun to set the table with patterns sometimes. I know that I don't need all of these . . . but believe me when I say, that I used to have even more, so I actually have down sized :) Oh, did I just admitted that, LOL.

      Delete
  36. I have stacks too! Hoarding well maybe, I hoard certain things...chocolate...paper...books...and I have way too many dishes in my cupboards too:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, from what most of our sister blogger are saying, "It's collecting and not hoarding as long as it is neatly stacked and you are not tripping over in". So I don't think that we have reached the title of hoarder . . . thank goodness . . . but we need to keep an eye on it. I know that when I buy bigger items, I have to get rid of another item from the house, that just comes from years of nesting and wanting to make a change here and there.

      Delete
  37. You are definitely creating a warm and cosy home! I share your love of crockery etc and can't wait for my new kitchen so that I can unpack all my goodies after years of storage xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fran, it will feel so good to unpack and have your kitchen all fitted and your lovely things gathered around you. From all the work that Pete has been doing, it shouldn't be long now . . . don't you think?

      Delete
  38. I think that you are normal. Your post made me think about what stacks I have in my home and I have many. Part of stacking is creating an inviting, comfy home and the other part is organizing. Your stacks are fun! There's nothing wrong with a fun, inviting, comfy, organized home. Enjoy Connie!
    D~~~~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Donna, your comment just made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy . . . Thank you :)

      Delete
  39. Connie, I think you are a collector of things, and that's ok. I don't have a lot of clutter, but when I find something that I really love, I'm like you and want to buy a few more of that item. That doll with her hands in her lap is sooooo cute.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sheri, I have had that doll for a long time . . . she was a thrift store or yard sale find many years ago :)

      Delete